Control button retention mechanism

ABSTRACT

A button retention mechanism that removably retains a button within a device while allowing easy replacement of a depressible or switchable button. The mechanism includes a retention member coupled to the button on a first end and removably coupled to a body at an opposing second end through a snap-fit or interference-fit. Such a structure allows for insertion and removal of the button without disassembling the device, and provides structural stability of the button.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/639,264, filed Mar. 5, 2015, entitledControl Button Retention Mechanism, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to retention mechanisms fordepressible buttons. More particularly, the present invention relates toa depressible or switchable button retention mechanism that removablyretains a button within a tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Depressible buttons are used in many types of power tools. Examples ofdepressible buttons include triggers for initiating operation, reversemechanisms that reverse the direction of operation of the tool, andpower restriction buttons that limit the output of the tool. Each ofthese buttons must be maintained in a structurally stable configurationdue to the repeated use of the buttons during each operation of thetool. A trigger for a drill, for example, may be used many times duringa single drilling operation. Also, tools are commonly subjected to largeinternal stressing and flexing, causing some tool buttons to dislodge orunwantingly pop-out from the tool, if not properly secured.

Conventional tool buttons are typically installed in an intendedpermanent manner that limits removal of the buttons when replacement,repairing, or removal is required. For example, the tool buttons may bepermanently coupled inside the tool or otherwise require completedisassembly of the tool to repair, replace or remove the tool button.Often times, when such buttons are removed, either the tool or thebutton can be damaged. Alternately, to facilitate future removal of thebutton, the button may be loosely installed in the tool, or otherwiselack the structural stability needed with a tool button.

Conventional tools include retention mechanisms for retaining buttons,but such retention mechanisms lack the required structural stability ormake removing the button difficult. For example, conventional toolsinclude buttons attached to a control interface through slots, cutouts,pins, hooks, or other such measures. These tool buttons permanentlyattach to internal structure within the tool housing and lack theability to be removed and replaced with any relative ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a button retentionmechanism that removably retains a depressible or switchable buttonwithin a tool or other device. The mechanism includes a retention membercoupled to the button at a first end and removably coupled to a body ofthe tool or device at a second, opposing end. The retention member canbe snap-fit or interference-fit into the body, such that insertion andremoval of the button can be carried out without external tools,disassembling the tool components, or destroying the tool or button.

The button retention mechanism is intended for use with a tool or deviceand includes a housing having a passage defined inside the housing. Adepressible or switchable button is operably coupled to the tool ordevice and includes a button base disposed outside the housing and abutton arm extending through the passage into the housing. A retentionmember is coupled to the button arm and has a maximum retention memberdimension defining a maximum width of the retention member, a bodydisposed inside the housing, and an opening defined within the body andhaving a maximum opening dimension defining a maximum width of theopening. The maximum opening dimension is smaller than the maximumretention member dimension such that the retention member flexesinwardly, relative to the housing, when being inserted into the opening,and flexes outwardly, relative to the housing, after passing through theopening.

Another embodiment includes a method for assembling a depressible orswitchable button into a tool or device including providing a passage ina housing of the tool or device, providing a body inside the tool ordevice, the body having an opening, at least partially inserting adepressible or switchable button having a button arm and retentionmember into the passage, and coupling the retention member with the bodyby inserting the retention member into the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, thereare illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, froman inspection of which, when considered in connection with the followingdescription, the invention, its construction and operation, and many ofits advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a cross section view through the device according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a first button being assembledinto a first opening according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a tool according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a button according to embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a body according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in manydifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein bedescribed in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferredembodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to beconsidered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention toembodiments illustrated.

An embodiment of the present invention broadly comprises a buttonretention mechanism that improves the assembly and disassembly of adepressible or switchable button while providing structural stabilityfor the button to be adequately retained within a device, such as atool. The mechanism includes a retention member coupled to or integralwith the button on a first end and removably coupled to a body at anopposing second end. The retention member can be removably coupled by asnap-fit or interference-fit with the body, allowing easy assembly andremoval of the button without requiring disassembly of the tool ordevice. It will be appreciated that while the present invention isdiscussed as applicable to a depressible or switchable button for atool, the invention is equally applicable for any type of device thatuses a button.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the tool 100 includes a housing 105 adapted toallow a first button 110 and second button 115 to be depressibly coupledto a body 120 within the housing 105. The first and second buttons 110,115 are operably coupled to the tool in a well-known manner. The firstand second buttons 110, 115 can include respective first and secondretention members 125, 130 that removably couple to the body 120through, for example, a snap-fit or interference-fit. The first andsecond retention members 125, 130 can removably couple with the body 120by being respectively inserted into first and second body openings 135,140. The body 120 can further include a divider 145 that separates thebody 120 and defines first and second windows 150, 155 facing adirection substantially perpendicular to the direction in which thefirst and second body openings 135, 140 face. The body 120 can furtherinclude an agitator 160 that operably couples the body 120 to the tool,such that when the body 120 is moved, it causes the tool 100 to performan operation, for example, changing the direction of the tool 100 fromforward to reverse.

The first and second buttons 110, 115 can extend through a passage inthe housing 105 to be removable from the housing. In some embodiments,the first and second buttons 110, 115 are not permanently coupled withinthe housing, but respectively include first and second retention members125, 130 that retain the first and second buttons 110, 115 on the body120. For example, the first and second retention members 125, 130 can besnap-fit or interference-fit within the openings 135, 140 because adiameter or lateral dimension of the first and second retention members125, 130 can be respectively larger than the diameter or lateraldimension of the respective first and second openings 135, 140. In otherwords, the first and second retention members 125, 130 can berespectively larger than the first and second openings 135, 140,requiring additional force to insert or remove the first and secondretention member 125, 130 from the first and second openings 135, 140.

The first and second retention members 125, 130 can each be made of aflexible material and/or shaped to allow for flexing when respectivelyinserted into the first and second openings 135, 140. For example, asshown, the first and second retention members 125, 130 can each beflexible rings (or any other enclosed shape with a gap inside theenclosed shape) that flexes inwardly when respectively inserted into thefirst and second openings 135, 140, and flex outwardly after beingcompletely respectively inserted through the first and second openings135, 140. Thereafter, pulling either of the first and second buttons110, 115 outwardly is substantially prevented by the snap-fit orinterference-fit interface between the first and second retentionmembers 125, 130 and the first and second openings 135, 140. The firstand second retention members 125, 130 can also each be arcuate segments,rather than a full ring, or any other shape or structure that flexeswhen respectively inserted through the first and second openings 135,140. This structure allows the first and second retention members 125,130 to be inserted into the body 120 and snap-fit or interference-fit inthe body 120 without requiring tools and without disassembling the tool100. Further, the first and second retention member 125, 130 can each beremoved with enough force to overcome the ramp forces caused by thesnap-fit or interference-fit between the first and second retentionmembers 125, 130 and the first and second openings 135, 140, but notremoved during conventional use of the tool 100, which involves lessforce on the first and second buttons 110, 115. Accordingly, the firstand second buttons 110, 115 can each be inserted and removed, andassembled into the tool 100 with structural stability, due to therespective fit interaction between the first and second retentionmembers 125, 130 and the first and second openings 135, 140.

The first and second retention members 125, 130 can be respectivelycoupled to the body 120 via the first and second openings 135, 140, andcan cause the body 120 and agitator 160 to move by actuation of theeither of the first and second buttons 110, 115. For example, a user canpush the first button 110 inwardly and cause immediate movement of thebody 120 and agitator 160 because the first button 110 is coupled to thebody 120 via the first retention member 125. Likewise, a user can pushthe second button 115 inwardly and cause immediate movement of the body120 and agitator 160 because the second button 115 is coupled to thebody 120 via the second retention member 130. Alternately, or inaddition to the above, the first and second retention members 125, 130can abut divider 145 and therefore push the body 120 when either of thefirst and second buttons 110, 115 is pushed inwardly. Using the exampleabove, pushing the first button 110 inwardly not only pushes the body120 due to the coupling between the first retention member 125 and firstopening 135, but also due to the force exerted on the divider 145 by thefirst retention member 125. Likewise, pushing the second button 115inwardly not only pushes the body 120 due to the coupling between thesecond retention member 130 and second opening 140, but also due to theforce exerted on the divider 145 by the second retention member 135. Itwill be appreciated that by pushing either of the first and secondbuttons 110, 115 provides an immediate response from the body 120, andby extension, the agitator 160, causing the control operation to beexecuted immediately after the first or second button 110, 115actuation.

The agitator 160 can be any shape or size to cause a control operationto occur. For example, the agitator 160 can be coupled to a reversemechanism such that movement of the agitator 160 in an axial directionwill switch the direction the tool 100 operates (e.g., from clockwise tocounterclockwise rotational direction). The agitator 160 can be integralwith or coupled to the body 120 such that movement of the body 120causes movement of the agitator 160 and, by extension, causes thecontrol operation to occur.

Referring to FIG. 4., the first and second buttons 110, 115 respectivelyinclude first and second retention members 125, 130 that couple with thebody 120 respectively through first and second openings 135, 140. Asshown, the first and second buttons 110, 115 can also each include abutton base 405, a button arm 410 extending from the button base 405,and a ridge 415 extending circumferentially around the button arm 410.

The button base 405 can act as an interface between a user and the tool100 and is the point of physical contact for the user. Because of this,the button base 405 can include a textured surface to tactilely informthe user that the user is touching one of the first and second buttons110, 115. This allows the user to actuate one of the first and secondbuttons 110, 115 without having to look at the first and second buttons110, 115, but rather by feeling for the appropriate button. In someembodiments, the first button 110 has a different textured surface onthe button base 405, compared to the surface of the second button 115,to tactilely differentiate for the user which of the first and secondbuttons 110, 115 is being touched.

The button arm 410 can extend from the button base 405 through a passageof the housing 105 to allow for easy removal, repair, or replacement ofeither of the first and second buttons 110, 115. Also, the ridge 415 canbe disposed circumferentially around each of the first and secondbuttons 110, 115 at a location longitudinally inwardly from an innerwall of the housing 105 when the button body 405 is substantially flushagainst an external wall of the housing 105. The ridge 415 can provide agroove for an O-ring or other form of sealant to seal the housing 105from oil and leakage. Alternately, the ridge 415 need not be implementedat all.

As discussed above, the tool 100 can be a power tool. However, the tool100 can be any type of tool, such as a hand or power tool. For example,the tool 100 can be an impact wrench, drill, torque wrench, ratchetwrench, hammer, or any other tool. Moreover, the tool 100 need not be atool at all, but rather any type of a device that includes a depressiblebutton.

As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents arenot intended to necessarily be limited to a direct, mechanical couplingof two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and itsfunctional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirectmechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or moreobjects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled”is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integralwith another object.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand/or described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from the broaderaspects of the invention. The actual scope of the protection sought isintended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in theirproper perspective.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retention combination comprising: a retentionmember having a continuously enclosed shape with a gap disposed insidethe enclosed shape, the retention member includes a retention memberdimension defining a width of the retention member; and a body adaptedto receive the retention member and having first and second openings,and a divider disposed between the first and second openings, the firstopening having an opening dimension defining a width of the opening,wherein the opening dimension is smaller than the retention memberdimension such that the retention member flexes inwardly when insertedinto the opening, and flexes outwardly after passing through theopening, and wherein movement of the retention member inwardly causesmovement of the body.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein thecontinuously enclosed shape is a ring.
 3. The combination of claim 1,wherein the retention member is adapted to be either snap-fit orinterference-fit in the opening.
 4. The combination of claim 1, whereinthe divider separates the retention member from a second retentionmember.